Applied Cryptography – Part 1

In the world of applied cryptography, you'll learn the art of safeguarding information in the digital age. Imagine being able to send messages that only the intended recipient can read, protect your private data from prying eyes, and ensure the integrity of online transactions. This is the power of applied cryptography – it's like learning the language of secrets for the digital realm.

What is Applied Cryptography?

At its core, cryptography is about turning ordinary information into a secret code to keep it safe from unauthorized eyes. Applied cryptography takes this idea and turns it into practical tools that you can use in your everyday digital life. It's like having a set of superpowers to defend your data and communication from cyber threats.

Why Learn Applied Cryptography?

1. Digital Privacy: You'll discover how to have private conversations online, where only you and the person you're talking to can understand what's being said.

2. Secure Transactions: Ever wondered how your credit card details stay safe when you shop online? Applied cryptography is the answer, making sure your financial transactions are shielded from hackers.

3.  Identity Protection: Learn how to prove you are who you say you are in the digital world, preventing imposters from pretending to be you.

4.  Future-Proofing: Stay ahead of emerging technologies. With quantum computing on the horizon, learning about post-quantum cryptography ensures your skills remain relevant.

What Will You Learn?

1. Encryption and Decryption: Discover how to lock and unlock digital secrets using secret codes.

2. Digital Signatures: Learn how to "sign" digital documents to prove they came from you and haven't been tampered with.

3. Key Management: Master the art of managing the keys that unlock these digital secrets – a crucial skill for any cryptography practitioner.

4. Real-World Examples: Explore how applied cryptography protects everything from your WhatsApp messages to the sensitive data in hospitals.

No Superpowers Needed

Don't worry if you're not a tech genius. Applied cryptography is about understanding and using simple yet powerful techniques. Whether you're an aspiring cybersecurity professional, a curious tech enthusiast, or someone who simply wants to navigate the digital world safely, applied cryptography has something for everyone.

 

Embark on this journey to becoming a digital guardian. Applied cryptography will empower you to secure your digital life, communicate privately, and embrace the future of cybersecurity. Let's unlock the secrets together!

Explore our Applied Cryptography module in POLITEMall to have a foundation understanding of it!

Look out for our Applied Cryptography - Part 2 in the coming week to know how it is applied in practice.

Image By vecstock

SP signed MOU with AISP on QISA/QISP Certification Exam

23 Oct 2023. Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and Association of Information Security Professionals (AiSP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote professional certification examinations in cybersecurity. 

In this MOU, SP will provide a platform to the students to participate in the following cyber security professional exams, namely:

1. Qualified Information Security Associate (QISA); and
2. Qualified Information Security Professional (QISP).

More information on QISA/QISP can be found in this link.

SP will conduct its own training to their students to prepare for the QISA/QISP exams. 

To date, 17 DISM students have attained the QISP credentials and more training sessions are planned during the vacation period for students to prep them for the exam. This is part of the effort from School of Computing (SOC) to support the development of personnel in this demanding profession in cybersecurity domain.

Singapore Cyber Conquest 2023

The 13th Singapore Cyber Conquest competition was held on 17 Oct at the GovWare 2023.

DSIM students, Zavier Lee and Liew Wen Yu, Gryphons' President and Vice President, participated in the event.

(From L to R): Zavier Lee and Liew Wen Yu

They had done us proud by securing third place in the competition. This is definitely an outstanding achievement and this reflects the expertise and commitment of Gryphons' members to the cyber security field.

Once again, Congratulations to the students for their achievement in the Singapore Cyber Conquest competition.

Python Programming

 

Are you intrigued by the world of coding? Our Python Programming module is your gateway to the exciting universe of programming. We teach Python and Python isn't just any programming language; it's your friendly guide into the realms of creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.

Why Python?

Python isn't just a programming language; it's a versatile tool that empowers you to bring your ideas to life. Here's why Python is the perfect choice for beginners:

1.    Beginner-Friendly: Python boasts a clean and readable syntax, making it easy for newcomers to understand and write code. No more intimidating jargon – Python speaks your language.

2.    Versatile Applications: Whether you're keen on web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, or game creation, Python has your back. It's like having a Swiss Army knife for your coding needs.

3.    Rapid Development: Python's simplicity means you can transform your ideas into functional code faster than you ever imagined. Get ready to see your projects take shape swiftly.

4.    Strong Community: You're never alone in your coding journey. Python's vast and welcoming community is always ready to help you overcome challenges and share in your successes.

5.    Endless Learning: Learning Python isn't just about writing code; it's about acquiring a mindset of continuous exploration. As you grow, Python grows with you, unveiling new libraries, frameworks, and possibilities.

What Can You Do with Python?

With Python as your ally, the possibilities are limitless. Here are just a few things you can accomplish:

• Create Websites: Develop interactive web applications using frameworks like Django and Flask. From personal blogs to dynamic e-commerce sites, Python has you covered.

• Analyse Data: Dive into the world of data analysis using libraries like Pandas and NumPy. Uncover insights from large datasets and make data-driven decisions.

• Automate Tasks: Tired of repetitive tasks? Python can automate them, freeing up your time for more meaningful work.

• Build Games: Dream of crafting your own games? Python's simplicity makes game development an exciting adventure for beginners.

• Explore AI and Machine Learning: Step into the future by creating machine learning models and AI algorithms with libraries like TensorFlow and scikit-learn.

• Solve Real-World Problems: Use Python to tackle challenges in fields like finance, science, and engineering. Your code can have a tangible impact on the world around you.

Remember, your journey with Python is a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace every challenge, celebrate your victories, and never stop learning. Python is your passport to a world of endless possibilities. Explore our Python Programming module in POLITEMall to have a foundation understanding in Python. Happy coding! 🚀🐍

Photo by Chris Ried on Unsplash

  

Organizational Systems Security Analyst (OSSA) Exam - Sep 2023

Congratulations to the following students who had completed the ThinkSECURE's Organizational Systems Security Analyst (OSSA) course conducted from 25 Sep to 28 Sep. They took the OSSA exam on 29 Sep and successfully met the passing criteria in obtaining the OSSA credential.

These students are:

1. ALDEN CHIA YU XIANG
2. AMMAR ABDUL JABAR
3. CHIA AI CHING ANGELINE ELEEN
4. FOO GENG HAO
5. GHERNIE LORENZ MILLANES ENCINAS
6. JADEN TENG YU JAY
7. JIMMY LIAW CHIN YONG
8. JING QIHANG
9. LENNON SU CHEE
10. LIEW YU HENG JARED
11. NG YU RAY
12. TANG LEE HUNG IGNATIUS

Once again, Congratulations to all the students who have attained the OSSA credential.

WorldSkills Singapore National Competition 2023

6 Oct 2023. The WorldSkills Singapore National Competition 2023 (Phase 2) was officially launched on Fri 4 Aug 2023 and was held from Wed 27 Sep to Sat 30 Sep 2023 at the 5 Polytechnics.

DISM students, Tong Yew Ching Kelvin and Ling Zhi En, took park in the WSS Cybersecurity category.

The Closing Ceremony was held at Temasek Polytechnic on Fri 6 Oct 2023.

The 2 students have done SP proud by winning the third place in the WSS competition.

Form L to R: Kelvin Tong, Mr Boris Choo (Senior Lecturer, DCDF), Lim Zhi En.

Congratulations to the 2 students for winning the WSS Bronz medal in Cybersecurity category.

Final Year Project Showcase [Part 3]

Group 8 - BOTBUSTER - Solution to combat AI generated content!

The rise of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Google's BARD, which support iterative "conversation," represents a significant shift in the way we can produce text that frequently appears virtually identical to human-written content. Chatbots powered by LLMs, driven by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, hold great promise in enhancing productivity in academic settings. However, it's essential to address the ethical concerns surrounding their appropriate use and the biases inherent in these systems.

Issues with AI Generated Content

In light of this, the team embarked on a mission to create a solution to address this issue. While numerous tools are available for detecting AI-generated content, their accuracy and outcomes often vary. This solution improves accuracy by harnessing existing tools and, simultaneously, accommodating a wide range of data inputs. The solution's primary features encompass the management of different input formats, including text, file uploads, websites, and the identification of fake content. Furthermore, it incorporates security measures to counter cross-site scripting by implementing various input validation and sanitization techniques.

Group 8's Booth was popular with many of the attendees at the FYP showcase on 18 August 2023

The final product is a solution that aggregates existing solutions and streamlining results in real-time! Well done Group 8 FYP students!

If you are keen to be part of the FYP program and collaborate with Singapore Polytechnic School of Computing (SOC) to offer industry projects to students, kindly reach out to peter_wai_tong_lee@sp.edu.sg or mohamed_uvaise@sp.edu.sg.